Hiram Jefferson Herbert, Jr.

Hiram Jefferson Herbert, Jr., a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend, passed away on December 15, 2025, at the age of 88. His legacy is one of integrity, tenacity, and fierce advocacy for his clients as well as unshakable love for his family. Jeff resided in Glasgow, Kentucky, and Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Born in Tampa, Florida, Jeff was the sole child of Hiram Jefferson Herbert and Evalyn Hill Herbert. He spent most of his early years in Alabama, Georgia, and Virginia. Graduating from Ellavile High School in 1954, Jeff maintained ties with members of that graduating class throughout his life.

Known for his unwavering professionalism, sharp intellect, and deep commitment to legal doctrines, Jeff built an accomplished career, as an Attorney, that was marked more by his genuine care for those he served than by his many legal victories.

After graduating with honors from the University of Virginia, Jeff joined US Steel, working in its American Bridge Division in Ambridge, Pennsylvania. At the time, US Steel was the largest global structured steel manufacturing plant. However, he soon realized that corporate life did not align with his personality or career aspirations. His true passion lay in the law and its capacity, when aptly applied, to better the lives of everyday people.

In the spring of 1960, Jeff enrolled in the University of Kentucky School of Law to pursue his juris doctorate. There, he collaborated with Professor Tom Lewis on a research project that explored the connection between roving picket incidents in Eastern Kentucky and unfair labor practices. To gather data, Jeff descended into mine shafts to observe and interview coal miners.

During his senior year of law school, Jeff served as the editor of the Kentucky Law Journal. After graduating at the top of his class, he chose to settle in Glasgow, Kentucky, to practice small-town law, believing that small towns were the heart and soul of this country.

Jeff’s passion for law developed into a distinguished career. Among his many clients, he took great pleasure in representing the Glasgow Electric Plant Board (GEPB), a role he began shortly after law school graduation and maintained until his retirement in 2018. During his tenure, he was a key figure in the formation of The Municipal Electrical Power Association of Kentucky (MEPAK). Jeff was immensely proud of his work with the GEPB and played a pivotal role in bringing affordable cable television services to Glasgow and its surrounding areas.

Serving as the attorney for the City of Glasgow under Mayor Charlie Honeycutt for seventeen years, he took satisfaction in the progress of the city during Honeycutt’s tenure, which included the purchase and restoration of the Plaza Theater.

On April 5, 1985, Jeff married Betty Reece Herbert (Betsy). Together, they built a life that encompassed practicing law as Herbert and Herbert Law Offices, which later evolved into Herbert, Herbert, and Pack Law Offices.

Along with his busy law practice, Jeff made many trips to Guatemala with his wife Betty volunteering with Children of the Americas.

Outside of his legal work, Jeff found joy in having Sunday night suppers with family, quiet afternoons on the porch sipping wine, and having coffee with his coffee group of 21 years. Their children often reminisce about the dinner conversations held at the Herbert home, where Jeff and Betty engaged in animated discussions about the law and current events. Jeff had a keen intellectual interest in anyone he met, often engaging in long conversations with strangers.

Jeff is survived by his wife of 41 years Betty Reece Herbert, children Henry Jefferson Herbert (Mia), Larry Andrew Reece (Lindsay), Angela Reece Butler (Brian), Hiram Jefferson Herbert, III and Nancy Anne Kilgore; grandchildren Jefferson Gage Parker (Destiny), Garrett Reece Parker, Nicole Berry Stanforth (Greg), and Henry Li Herbert as well as sister-in-law Sue Savage Schmidt, niece Jamie Garrett Howard (David) and nephew James Michael Garrett (Robin).

He was predeceased by his parents, daughter Mary Evelyn Herbert, and brother-in-law Karl Schmidt.

A celebration of life will be held on January 10, 2026, at 2:00 PM at First Christian Church in Glasgow. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to BARREN RIVER ANIMAL WELFARE ASSOCIATION or METCALFE COUNTY ANIMAL SHELTER.